Spa

Closing the doors of her day spa, Skin Deep, is going to be a sad day for owner Deborah Woods, but she is thankful for the time she had. After 18 years of serving the community, the spa, which has been struggling since 2008, is going to succumb to the effects of the economic downturn next month. “I had a dream,” Woods said. “I made my dream come true, and I couldn’t have done it without the community and the city of Huntington Beach.” Woods opened her first company in 1987 when there were no other day spas in the area.

Lois Trader, author of "Lady in the Red Dress: A Personal Story of a Woman with Heart Disease," will appear at Skin Deep day spa on Saturday to talk about her experiences coping with heart disease. Trader, who also wrote "Help … There's an Elephant on My Chest," will be on hand for the spa's free educational fair and open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Trader will talk about her years of experience with heart disease and how she overcame it. "I think she's superior, comfortable, inviting," the spa's owner, Deborah Woods, said of Trader, who has been a Skin Deep customer for more than 10 years.

Through special events or simply by letting employees pay for the right to wear jeans to work, several Newport-Mesa businesses are participating in events to raise money for breast cancer research and treatment. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and many local companies are working with the Orange County chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to raise money for research and treatment. The chapter raised about $2 million at the 14th annual Komen Orange County Race for the Cure, said Lisa Wolter, the chapter's executive director.

Fashionistas in the know have traveled deep into the desert for years to get the best designer goods on the cheap. And while in Cabazon, they can entertain both their hubbies and their children. The unincorporated town of little more than 2,000 people has built up to support its tourist attractions, which include a massive casino resort, the most high-end outlet mall on the West Coast and a dinosaur attraction for kids. Desert Hills Premium Outlets is known for offering the top couture and contemporary labels of the moment, including Dior, Gucci, Prada, Diane Von Furstenberg, Miss Sixty and True Religion, at drastically reduced prices.

Summer is here and we've already heard some nearly devastating news about the near drowning of a small child. Last week, a mother's quick actions saved the life of her 1 1/2-year-old daughter, who had fallen into the family Jacuzzi. Thankfully, the little girl is OK and recovering with her family. Sadly, this won't be the only such incident we hear of this summer. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, of all preschoolers who drown, 70% are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning, and 75% are out of sight for five minutes or less.

Danette Goulet It is no longer a vision for a vast and empty parcel of land along the coveted California coast. One can only gawk at the concrete and metal frame that has been growing up out of the dirt along Pacific Coast Highway. It looks as if it will be menacing in size. And yet, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, which promises to be a spectacular retreat when it opens in December or January, will go no higher than what can now be seen.

Landing a first job is tough. With no job experience to speak of and nothing to put on a resume, employers are hesitant to give workers a chance. Matthew Russell, a 22-year-old with autism, knows all about the troubles of trying to get hired. “We’ve been through a lot of interviews, but it didn’t really go through,” he said. “It was difficult.” The Huntington Beach resident had no experience except a high school diploma under his belt.

o7Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday. f7 MASSAGE BUSINESS APPEAL A masseuse can operate from a Corona del Mar day spa, after the council upheld the planning director's decision to allow the massage business. Councilman Dick Nichols called up the decision for review because of a rule that doesn't allow a massage business to open within 500 feet of another such establishment. City staff members said the city has strict standards for massage businesses because of previous problems with them.

MICHÈLE MARR At any corner I turn in Huntington Beach, it seems like I spot a spa these days. There are spas and ever more spas to rejuvenate skin, nails, hands, feet, make-up and muscles. Each summer Chabad of West Orange County (www.chabadhb.com) takes the concept of the spa to another level when it hosts its one-day “Spa for the Soul.” On Aug. 17, 70 women showed up for the fifth annual event at the Sea Cliff Country Club, which allowed the group to bring in a kosher caterer.

At any corner I turn in Huntington Beach, it seems like I spot a spa these days. There are spas and ever more spas to rejuvenate skin, nails, hands, feet, make-up and muscles. Each summer Chabad of West Orange County ( www.chabadhb.com ) takes the concept of the spa to another level when it hosts its one-day ?Spa for the Soul.? On Aug. 17, 70 women showed up for the fifth annual event at the Sea Cliff Country Club, which allowed the group to bring in a kosher caterer. ?

A Northern California woman is suing Groupon and a Huntington Beach day spa claiming she purchased online vouchers for a treatment that left her with chemical burns. Rebecca Fisher of Hayward has taken action against an owner and employee of CloudMover Day Spa, alleging fraud, concealment of information, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to a July 2 claim filed by her attorney, Montie Day. Fisher is also taking legal action against Groupon, which sold the online vouchers she purchased for the spa treatment.

Starting a business from the ground up is difficult task for anyone. An even more challenging task is starting that business during a struggling economy. But for Anne Mason-Arnold, she made it look easy as her business, CloudMover Day Spa, received the accolade of Best Day Spa on the 2012 Orange County Hot List in November on CityVoter.com - a business promotion website. This is the third top honor Mason-Arnold's business has received, being named Best Day Spa in 2010 and Best Massage in 2011 by the same organization.

With the holidays fast approaching, if you're like us, you're staring down weeks of commitments, family, parties, shopping and just plain craziness. So best to keep some respites in your back pocket - you'll need them. At the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, sneak away for a lunchtime spa escape from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday till Dec. 31. The hotel is offering a special that includes a re-energizing 30-minute massage (choice of Swedish, deep tissue or reflexology)

Do something for you Fall Spa Week is here! That means you can indulge in luxury spa treatments for less by taking advantage of Spa Week specials through Sunday. For 50 bucks, you can receive a designated spa week special treatment from a participating spa in Orange County. At CloudMover Day Spa in Huntington Beach you can choose a 60-minute hot stone or deep-tissue massage; a 60-minute facial with diamond peel or sinus/allergy relief massage; or a 60-minute low tide manicure and pedicure with pumpkin peel.

Landing a first job is tough. With no job experience to speak of and nothing to put on a resume, employers are hesitant to give workers a chance. Matthew Russell, a 22-year-old with autism, knows all about the troubles of trying to get hired. “We’ve been through a lot of interviews, but it didn’t really go through,” he said. “It was difficult.” The Huntington Beach resident had no experience except a high school diploma under his belt.

Closing the doors of her day spa, Skin Deep, is going to be a sad day for owner Deborah Woods, but she is thankful for the time she had. After 18 years of serving the community, the spa, which has been struggling since 2008, is going to succumb to the effects of the economic downturn next month. “I had a dream,” Woods said. “I made my dream come true, and I couldn’t have done it without the community and the city of Huntington Beach.” Woods opened her first company in 1987 when there were no other day spas in the area.

Working in the hospitality industry isn’t as laid-back as it seems, some Huntington Beach High School students learned recently. An all-girl group from the school’s Entertainment and Tourism Academy spent the day touring and job-shadowing at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa on Feb. 10. “It is a great program, and the Hyatt has given them real-world experience,” academy teacher Pam Hostetler said....

Skin Deep Day Spa in Huntington Beach won Day Spa Magazine’s prestigious 2008 Diamond Award for spa excellence. It is celebrating with several “Helping Hands” specials that include a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley’s “Building Dreams” campaign. The organization is building a new facility on the Golden West College campus. “We want to help people take care of themselves and loved ones in these challenging times,” owner and founder Deborah Woods said.

Fashionistas in the know have traveled deep into the desert for years to get the best designer goods on the cheap. And while in Cabazon, they can entertain both their hubbies and their children. The unincorporated town of little more than 2,000 people has built up to support its tourist attractions, which include a massive casino resort, the most high-end outlet mall on the West Coast and a dinosaur attraction for kids. Desert Hills Premium Outlets is known for offering the top couture and contemporary labels of the moment, including Dior, Gucci, Prada, Diane Von Furstenberg, Miss Sixty and True Religion, at drastically reduced prices.